Construction for mail boxes



y 1934. H. F. K EIL CONSTRUCTION FOR MAIL BOXES Filed Oct. 22, 1928 4 Sheets-Sheet 1 ATTORNEY y 1934- H. F. KEIL CONSTRUCTION FOR MAIL BOXES 4 Sheets-Sheet 5 Filed Oct. 1928 ATTORNEY Cil Raiented May l, 1934 T? NET STATES CONSTRUCTION FOR MAIL BOXES York Application October 22,

15 Claims.

This invention relates to construction for mail boxes, particularly to mail boxes adapted for apartment houses or the like.

One of the objects of this invention is to provide a simple and thoroughly practical construction for mail boxes, particularly for that type of mail box in which a series of separate or private compartments is provided. Another object is to provide a compact and strong mail box construction in which the individual compartments may be rapidly and inexpensively constructed and assembled and in which the individual compartments may be dependably united into a single compact unit capable of being reliably and inexpensively mounted in place and capable of efiicient action under the varying conditions of practical use. Another object is to provide a mail box construction having great durability and great simplicity of manual actuation. Another object is to provide a mail box construction capable of being inexpensively built up to provide as many individual compartments as may be desired, and to provide a construction of the abovementioned character well adapted to meet the conditions of hard practical use. Other objects will be in part obvious or in part pointed out hereinafter.

ihe invention accordingly consists in the features of construction, combinations of elements, and arrangements of parts as will be exemplified in the structure to be hereinafter described and the scope of the application of which will be indicated in the following claims.

In the accompanying drawings in which is shown one of various possible embodiments of this invention,

Figure 1 is a front elevation of a mail box construction, certain parts thereof being broken away in order to show certain features of the construction more clearly;

Figure 2 is a vertical sectional view taken substantially along the line 22 of Figure 1;

Figure 3 is a vertical sectional view taken along the line 3-3 of Figure 1;

Figure 4 is a plan view as seen from the top in Figure 1, certain parts being broken away to show certain features of the construction more clearly;

Figure 5 is a horizontal sectional View taken substantially along the line 5-5 of Figure 1;

Figure 6 is an enlarged plan View partly in section showing a preferred form of securing the master lock to the mail box;

Figure 7 is a fragmentary vertical sectional 1928, Serial No. 314,171

view on an enlarged scale taken substantially along the line 7-7 of Figure 1, and

Figure 8 is a rear view of the assembled door unit.

Similar reference characters refer to similar parts throughout the several views of the drawmgs.

Referring now to the drawings, it is first pointed out that I have chosen to illustrate my invention in connection with a mailbox having three individual compartments, but I desire it to be understood that many features of my invention may be carried out where the construction embodies any other suitable or desired number of individual compartments. In Figure 1 I have generally indicated at 10 a mail box illustratively having three compartments generally indicated at 11, 12 and 13, as will also be clear from Figures 4 and 5.

Certain portions of each individual compartment are preferably of substantially identical construction; thus, the compartment 13, for example, is made up in part of a single sheet of metal suitably bent preferably at right angles to provide a rear wall 13a, a side wall 13b and an opposed side wall 130 (see particularly Figure 5). Similarly, compartment 12 is in part made up of a single piece of sheet metal shaped to provide a back wall 12a, a side wall 12b and an opposed side wall 120, while the compartment 11 is similarly provided with a back wall 11a, a side wall 11b and an opposed side wall 110.

Any suitable number of sheet metal members, shaped as above described, illustratively shown as three in number in the drawings, are then placed side by side so that adjacent side walls abut against each other flatwise. Thus (Figure 5) the side wall 13c of compartment 13 rests flatwise against side wall 121) of compartment 12, side wall 120 of compartment 12 rests flatwise against side wall 11b of compartment 11, and so on. These abutting side walls may be rigidly secured together in any suitable manner, preferably by spot welding at an appropriate number of suitable points.

Over the upper open ends of the thus alined compartments there is then placed an upper end closing wall member (see Figure 2). The member 14 is made of suflicient length to close the open ends of all of the alined compartments and is provided with a flange 14a bent downwardly so as to overlap the alined back walls 13a, 12a and 11a, the latter being secured to this flange 14a in any suitable manner, preferably as by spot welding. I V

The upper end wall member 14 is provided at its front end with a vertically directed flange 1412, the plane of the front face of which coincides with the plane of the front edges of the side walls 1317-430 of the compartment 13, l2b-12c of the compartment 12, and so on.

The lower open ends of the compartments are closed by a flanged sheet metal member 15 (Figure 2) having at its rear edge an upwardly directed flange 15a overlapping the alined rear walls 11a, 12a, 13a, etc. to which it is secured as by spot welding. The lower end wall closing member 15 has at its front end a downwardly directed flange 1519, the plane of the front face of which preferably coincides with the plane of the front face of the flange 14b.

The angular end sections of the members 14 and 15, produced by the flanges above desribed, even though of relatively light sheet metal, afford great rigidity and strength, which characteristics, by reason of their attachment to the several alined compartments, are thus given to the ultimate mail box construction itself. Furthermore, the substantially U-shaped cross-section of the sheet metal member out of which the back and the two side walls of each compartment are formed, is similarly characterized by great strength and rigidity.

The end members 14 and 15 are provided with suitably spaced openings into which flt ears formed as extensions of the upper and lower ends of the side walls of each compartment; thus, referring to Figure 3, ears 12c and 12/ at the upper end of the side wall 12b of compartment 12 and ears 12g and 12h at the lower end of the side wall 12b project through suitable openings in the members 14 and 15, respectively, and are bent over. Preferably the ears of the abutting side walls are alined and extend in pairs through the same opening through the upper and lower end members, being bent over away from each other, as is clearly shown in Figure 4. In the latter figure, ear 12) of side wall 120 and ear 11c of the adjacent abutting side wall 111) extend through the same opening in the upper wall member 14 and are bent thereupon in opposite directions. These ears form a strong and rigid mechanical connection between the ends of the side walls and the upper and lower end wall members and further strengthen and reinforce the resultant assembled construction.

The front open ends of the compartments ll, 12, 13, etc. are closed by a door arrangement in which the lower portion, preferably the lower half of the open end of each compartment, is closed by a separate or individual door and the upper portions, preferably the upper halves, of the front open ends of all of the compartments, are closed by a single door. Thus, referring to Figures 1 and 5, a lower part of the compartment 11 is closed by a door 16, the lower half of compartment 12 is closed by a door 1'7, and the lower half of compartment 13 is closed by a door 18. These doors 16, 17 and 18 are preferably made of suitably heavy sheet metal, preferably brass, and as is clear from Figures 1, 2 and 5, these doors are of such a width that the lateral and bottom edge portions thereof exactly overlie the front edges of the side wall members of their respective compartments and also the lower end wall member 15. In Figure 5 the door 18 will be seen to be of such a width as to be exactly received between the planes of the outer faces of the side wall members 1% and 13c of the compartment 13. And as is better shown in Figures 1 and 2, the lower end portion of the door 17 for the compartment 12 laps over the flange 15b of the lower end wall member 15 to an appropriate extent, preferably an extent commensurate with the thickness of the member 15 itself.

The upper portions of the compartments 11, 12, 13, etc. are, as above noted, closed by a single door, but this door is made up of individual door members 19, 20 and 21, respectively (Figures 1 and 4) for the compartments 11, 12 and 13, these door members being joined together to move and to be controlled as a unit. Each of the door members 19, 20 and 21 is proportioned with respect to the respective compartments with which they coact substantially similarly as are the individual doors l6, l7 and 18 above described, and like the latter are preferably of sheet metal of suitable weight and are preferably of brass. Moreover, the individual doors 15, 17 and 18 are preferably of identical construction, while the individual door members 19, 20 and 21, etc., are preferably also of substantially identical construction.

The door members 19, 20, 21, etc., having their adjacent side edges abutting, are secured -together to move as a unit by peculiarly advantageous features of construction. Extending across the upper portion of the door members, but slightly spaced from the alined upper edges of the latter, is a strap 22 of metal, preferably iron (see Figures 2, 3 and 8). This strap member 22 is better shown in Figure 8 in which is shown a rear view of the assembled door unit. The strap member 22 may be secured to the alined door members 19, 20, 21, etc., in any suitable manner, for example, by riveting, but preferably by welding.

Spaced downwardly from the strap member 22 by a distance, the appropriateness of which will be pointed out hereinafter, is another strap 23, also preferably of iron and extending across the rear face of the several door members 19, 20, 21, etc. Strap 23 is secured to the several door members in substantially the same way as is the strap 22. The left-hand and right-hand end faces of the straps 22 and 23, as seen in Figure 8, terminate short of the left-hand end edge of door member 21 and of the righthand end edge of the door member 19, respectively, by a distance substantially equivalent to the thickness of the side walls 131) and 110, respectively, the intermediate side walls of the several compartments being cut away, as is indicated in Figure 3, at 12p and 12q to accommodate the cross straps 22 and 23, respectively, when the upper composite door is closed. The above-mentioned left-hand and right-hand ends of the strap members 22 and 23, when the composite door member is closed, preferably snugly fit in between the side wall 13?) of compartment 13 and the side wall 110 of compartment 11, and thus aid to snugly fit the composite door in place and to hold the individual door members in proper position with respect to their respective compartments.

Considering now the manner in which the lower individual doors and the upper composite door member are mounted in position, I prefer to employ a hinge construction generally indicated in Figures 1, 2 and 8 at 24; this hinge construction coacts in a peculiar and highly advantageous way with the various features of construction hereinabove described. The hinge 24 includes a hinge plate 25 (see Figure 8) extending across the rear faces of the door members 19, 20, 21, etc. and adjacent the lower ends thereof, The hinge plate 25 is rigidly secured to these door members preferably in a manner more clearly described hereinafter and thus coacts also with the cross-straps 22 and 23 to make a strong, durable and solid single door unit out of the several door members 19, 20, 21, etc.

The hinge 24 is provided with as many hinge plates, coacting with the hinge plate 25, as there are lower doors 16, 1'7, 18, etc. in the construction and as is better shown in Figure 8 there are provided hinge plates 25, 2"! and 28 for the doors l6, l7 and 18, respectively.

All of the hinge plates of the hinge 24 are provided with spaced loops (as is better shown in Figure 2) the loops of the hinge plates 26, 2' 7, 28, etc. preferably alternating with the loops on the hinge plate 25 and being interfitted therebetween, as is clearly shown in cross-section in Figure 5, the thus alined openings in the loops being adapted to receive a hinge pin 29 preferably of a suiiicient length to extend across all of the several compartments of the construction.

Moreover, the hinge 24 is cut away, preferably only in the looped portions thereof, at a suitable number of spaced points indicated in the drawings (see Figure 8) as at 30, 31, 32 and 33, these points coinciding substantially with the midpoint of the side walls of the several compartments (see also Figure 5). Into these cut away portions are inserted what may be termed hangers shaped substantially as indicated at 34 in Figure 3. These hangers are preferably made of sheet metal and may be inexpensively stamped to provide a substantially rectangular shank 34a and an apertured ear 3412, the latter being rounded and shaped to match the exposed rounded contour of the loops of the hinge. These hangers 34 are alined with the looped portions of the hinge plates and the hinge pin 29 threaded through both the loops and the hangers 34, the extreme ends of the hinge pin 29 (with a hanger 34 on each end) being then suitably headed-over to hold the parts in assembled relation.

The hangers 3-4 are secured to the side walls of the several compartments in any suitable manner, but I prefer to'form what are in effect sockets to receive the shanks 34a of the hangers 34. This preferred construction I am enabled advantageously to carry out by stamping or pressing the sheet metal of the side walls of the several compartments into appropriate shape. As is best shown in Figures 1 and 5, the side wall members of each compartment are depressed inwardly to form a lateral or inward depression of substantially the dimensions of the shank 34a of the hangers 34; these depressions are indicated generally at 35, it being noted that there is thus formed between contiguous side walls of adjacent compartments a socket into which the shank 34a neatly fits. This socket is clearly shown in plan view in Figure l with respect to the side walls 121) and 130 and is shown in horizontal cross-section in Figure 5 with respect to the contiguous side walls 11b and 12c.

The shanks 34a of the hangers are fitted into these pockets or inwardly pressed portions of the side walls and are welded to the latter; the hinge 24 is thus dependably secured in place against bulging or warping and, moreover, reacts upon the side walls of the several compartments to dependably hold them against being forced out of alinement. The hinge plate 25, which as above noted extends across the door members 19, 20, 21, etc., as well as the continuous hinge pin 29, dependably coact with the hangers to achieve such advantages as have just been noted.

It is to be understood that the assembly of the hinge parts and the door parts with respect to the compartments may be achieved in a sequence of steps other than those specifically above outlined. V

The side walls of the several compartments preferably are cut away as at 36 (Figures 2 and 3) to accommodate the hinge plates of the hinge.

The hinge plates are preferably made of brass and are secured to the brass door members 19, 2G, 21, etc. and doors 15, 1'1, 18, etc. by iron rivets indicated in Figure '7 at 37, the rivets being appropriately headed or shouldered as at 37a, the head end of the rivet being upon the inner side of the hinge plates. The openings in the hinge plates are preferably counterbored, as is indicated at 25a in Figure 7. While I may simply head the rivets over in the usual manner and achieve good results, yet I prefer to spot weld the joint or joints between the iron rivet 37, the brass doors or door members and the brass hinge plate or plates, causing such an intimate union between the iron and brass as to preclude removal of the rivet. Thus, in spite of the fact that it is exceedingly difficult if not impossible to weld brass to brass, I am nevertheless enabled to achieve the mechanical advantages of a welded connection between these parts.

Bridged across the horizontally extending. cross straps 22 and 23 and suitably secured thereto but preferably in the manner described below and upon the inside face of the composite door l920-21, is a lock generally indicated at38, The lock 38 is provided with a latch 39 coasting with a suitable opening in the upper end wall member 14; t -e latch is adapted automatically to spring into the opening in the wall 14 and is provided with any suitable mechanism whereby it may be Withdrawn by means of a key. A suitable opening is provided in the door member 20 through which projects a cylindrical extension 3801 of the lock casing and within which is mounted the mechanism for receiving a key, as is indicated at 40 in Figure l.

The lock 38 is intended to be actuated by the mailman to open the door unit 19, 20, 21, etc. to place the mail in the respective compartments and the mailman carries a special key for actuating the lock. Upon actuating the look by means of the key the door unit is swung downwardly in counter clockwise direction, as viewed in Figure 2, and about the hinge pin 29 as an axis. Upon the rear side or" each door member 19, 20, 21, etc. is secured a sheet metal rack 41 (see Figures 2 and 8) of any suitable construction and adapted to receive a name card 42. These name cards are intended to identify the parties whose mail is to go in the corresponding compartment and as is better shown in Figure 8, these name cards are placed in the card panels or racks 41 upside down. When the upper door unit is swung downwardly as above described, these name cards are exposed to the view of the mailman but are right side up. Moreover, it will be noted that they are thus positioned where they are not obstructed by mail matter as is usually the case if the name panels are mounted upon the back walls of the various compartments.

The lock or lock casing 38 is preferably (18 tachably secured in place and a suitable number of screws 43, shown illustratively in Figure 8 as four in number, pass through the lock casing and are threaded into suitable threaded openings in the upper and lower cross straps 2223 and in the door member 26, as is better shown in Figure 6. The threaded ends of the screws are recessed or hollow, as is indicated at 43a, and this recess may be formed by simply drilling a hole axially into the end of the screw. Over the front face of the door member 20 is riveted, as by rivets 44, a plate of sufficient expanse to amply overlap the openings in the door member 20 through which the recessed ends of the screws 43 are exposed. These rivets 44 are of appropriate strength but are so attached that their outer or exposed heads may be readily enough knocked off as by means of a chisel and hammer.

In case the lock mechanism becomes inoperative, the proper representative of the postal authorities knocks oil the heads of the rivets 44, removes the plate 45, and then by means of any appropriately tapered tool inserted into the recessed ends of the screws 43 unscrews the latter, permitting the lock 38 to drop off of the cross straps 2223, whence the upper unit can be opened, the defective lock repaired or replaced by the same screws, the plate 45 riveted in place again, whence the apparatus is restored for normal use.

Each of the doors 16, 17 and 18 is, as above noted, independently operable, and each is controlled by a separate lock mechanism, the lock with its casing being generally indicated (Figures 2, 5 and 8) at 46; each lock is provided with a bolt 47 adapted to be moved by the key operated mechanism into a suitable opening in the lower end wall member 15 (see Figure 2). A suitable aperture 48 in the door is provided to permit the insertion into the lock mechanism of an appropriate key.

Positioned adjacent the lock mechanism 46 and preferably immediately thereabove, is an opening 49 in each of the doors, this opening 49 being preferably of rectangular shape through which is adapted to be exposed a card bearing the name of the tenant or party to whom the particular apartment is allocated. In Figure 2 this card is shown at 50.

Considering now how the card 50 and the lock 46 are held in place, reference may first be made to Figure 8 of the drawings. Secured to the bottom of each door 16, 17, 18, etc., and resting fiatwise against the inner side thereof, is a sheet metal plate 51 secured as by riveting to the door. Out of this plate 51 are struck up a suitable number of ears 52, 53 and 54, having end portions extending substantially parallel to the door itself (see Figure 2). Upon these cars rests the lock casing 46 and is secured thereto preferably by screws 55 (see Figures 2 and 8), the plate 51 havinto also a suitable opening through which the round key-receiving portion of the casing passes.

The plate 51 is extended upwardly, as at 51a, to overlap the opening 49 in the door and at this extended portion it is stamped or pressed into substantially the same cross-section better shown in Figure 2, whereby a card 50 may be slid in between the plate portion 51a and the door 17 and over the opening 49.

The plate 51 is also bent at its right and lefthand ends to form guiding flanges 56 and 57, the latter having a shape substantially as indicated in the lower portion of Figure 3. These guide flanges 5657 are bent so that their free ends (the ends nearest the observer viewing Figure 8) are somewhat nearer together than their remote ends. the remote ends being spaced apart by a distance equivalent substantially tothe width of the compartment. Preferably these guiding flanges are somewhat curved, as is best shown in the lower right-hand portion of Figure 5.

Upon closing any of the lower doors, these guide flanges 56-57 guide and hold the lower or free end of the door exactly into a position where it overlaps the front edges of the side walls of the corresponding compartment and they thus coact with the hinge construction above described to prevent a door overlapping or jamming against either or both of the adjacent doors.

Referring now to Figures 1, 2 and 5, suitable frame members 58, 59, 60 and 61 surround or frame the upper door unit and the lower individual doors, the frame members 58 and 60 being suitably secured by angle iron members 62 and 63 (Figure 5) respectively, and the frame members 59 and 61 being secured to the flanges 14b and 15?), respectively (Figure 2).

The angle members 62-63 and the end members 14-15 may be made of sheet iron and the frame members 58, 59, 60 and 61 of brass, the latter being readily weldable as by spot Welding to these sheet iron members. Also, the sheet metal of which the compartments 11, 12, 13, etc. have their side and rear walls made is preferably of sheet iron, thus permitting ready spot Welding together of contiguous side walls.

Any desired number of complete boxes may be related together, as shown in Figure 2; adjacent end or side walls are appropriately apertured to receive a wooden spacer 64 reduced at its ends to fit into these apertures. A bolt 65 with washers 66 and 67 passes through the spacer 64, the latter being somewhat yielding permitting the abutting end or side flanges of adjacent boxes to be snugly brought and held together, as is indimind at 68.

The hinge axes 34 are preferably of brass to match with the hinge and hinge loops, the brass axes 34 being readily spot welded to the sheet iron side walls. Similarly, the plates 51 are preferably of sheet iron and may be readily welded in place to the brass doors, and the same is true of the name panels 41 (see Figure 8). The manner of welding together the brass hinge plates and the brass door members and doors I have described above in detail. Thus, it will be seen that I am enabled to provide a thoroughly practical mail box construction in which all of the exposed parts are of brass or other suitable metal, which may be polished or ornamented in any desired manner and present a neat and ornamental appearance while the unexposed parts can be made of less expensive material, such as sheet iron, tin, and the like.

It will thus be seen that there has been provided in this invention a mail box construction in which the several objects hereinabove noted, as well as many thoroughly practical advantages, are successfully achieved. It will be seen that the construction is of great strength and durability, is compact and is of thoroughly dependable, reliable and convenient action in practical use. Furthermore, it will be seen that there is no waste space and that even though the partitions intervening adjacent compartments are relatively thin, the various features of the construction make certain that the doors properly mate with and overlap these dividing partitions and, moreover, do so without interference of one door with an adjacent door. Furthermore, it will be seen that the construction lends itself to rapid and inexpensive manufacture and that the construction is well adapted to meet the varying conditions or hard practical use.

As many possible embodiments may be made of the above 'nvention and as many changes might be made in the embodiment above set forth, it is to be understood that all matter hereinbeiore set forth as shown in the accompanying drawings, is to be interpreted as illustrative and not in a limiting sense.

I claim:

lfIn construction for mail boxes, in co1nbination, a plurality of compartments, a plurality of doors, one for each compartment and each closing a portion thereof, a plurality of sheet metal door members, one for each compartment and each closing another portion thereof, a single lock for said plurality of door members, means including a plurality of spaced members for securing said door members together to move as a unit, and reinforcing the thickness of said door members, means comprising screws threaded into said spaced members for mounting said look upon said spaced members, hinge means for hingedly mounting said doors and door members and com prising a hinge plate secured to more than one of said door members connected by a single hinge pin to a plurality of hinge plates, each of said last-mentioned hinge plates being secured to one of said doors to permit independent actuation of said doors relative to one another and to said connected door members, said first-mentioned hinge plate and said single hinge pin coasting with said spaced members in holding said doors and to prevent warping.

2. In construction for mail boxes, in combination, a plurality of compartments, a plurality of doors, one for each compartment and each closing a portion thereof, a plurality of door members, one for each compartment and each closing another portion thereof, a single lock for said plurality of door members, means comprising a plurality of spaced members for securing said door members together to move as a unit, said lock bemg mounted upon said spaced members, hinge means for hingedly mounting said connected door members and said doors to said compartments, and means for securing said hinge means to said compartments comprising a plurality of hangers positioned intermediate of the ends of said hinge means, each hanger having a portion extending about the hinge pin of said hinge means and a portion secured to the walls of said compartments.

3. In construction for mail boxes, in combination, a plurality of compartments, a plurality of doors, one for each compartment and each closing a portion thereof, a plurality of door members, one for each compartment and each closing another portion thereof, a single look for said plurality of door members, means comprising a plurality of spaced members for securing said door members together to move as a unit, said lock being mounted upon said spaced members, hinge means for hingedly connecting said connected door members to said doors and comprising interfitted looped hinge plates connected respectively to said connected door members and said individual doors and hinge pin means passing through said looped hinge plates, and means for holding said door members and said doors in operative relation to said compartments and comprising a plurality of members having portions extending about said hinge pin means, said plurality of means being distributed throughout the length of said hinge means.

In construction for mail boxes, in combination, a plurality of compartments, a plurality of doors, one for each compartment and each closing a portion thereof, a plurality of door members, one for each compartment and each closing another portion thereof, a single lock for said plurality of door members, means including a plurality of spaced members for securing said door members together to move as a unit, said lock being mounted upon said spaced members, means hingedly connecting said doors to said connected door members comprising a hinge having a hinge plate extending across and secured to several of said door members, said hinge plate coacting with said spaced members to hold said door members against warping, and a plurality of hinge plates, each secured to one of said doors, and means for holding said door members and doors in operative relation to said compartments, said last-mentioned means comprising means forming an extension of the side walls of said compartments and having the hinge pin connecting said hinge plates passing therethrough.

5. In construction for mail boxes, in combination, a plurality of compartments, a plurality of doors, one for each compartment and each closing a portion thereof ,a plurality of door members, one for each compartment and each closing another portion thereof, means hingedly connecting said doors and door members comprising a I hinge having a hinge plate to which said plurality of door members are secured and having a plurality of hinge plates each secured to one of said doors, said hinge plates being interconnected by hinge pin means, and means for holding said door members and doors in operative relation to said compartments and including a plurality of apertured means through which said hinge pin means passes, said apertured means being positioned intermediate of the ends of saidv hinge means.

6. In construction for mail boxes, in combination, a plurality of compartments, a plurality of doors, one for each compartment and each closing a portion thereof, a plurality of door members, one for each compartment and each closing another portion thereof, means hingedly con.- necting said doors and door members comprising a hinge having a hinge plate to which said plurality of door members are secured and having a plurality of hinge plates each secured to one of said doors, and means secured between adjacent side walls of adjacent compartments coacting with said hinge means for holding the latter and said door members and doors in operative relation to said compartments.

7. In construction for mail boxes, in combination, a mail box having a plurality of vertically extending compartments; a door for each compartment for closing a lower portion thereof; a single door for closing the upper portion of said compartments and hingedly connected at its lower end; and a plurality of means on the inside face of said single door one for each compartment and each adapted to hold a name card with the name thereon upside down when the door is in closed position.

8. In construction for mail boxes, in combination, a mail box having a plurality of compartments and a single door operable by the mailman for inserting mail into the individual compartments, said door being mounted to swing abo t a horizontal axis; and compartment-identifying indicia in inverted position on the inside face of said door and adapted when said door is swung into open position about said horizontal axis to be exposed and inverted.

9. In construction for mail boxes, in combination, a mail box having a plurality of adjacent compartments each made of sheet metal, the side walls of said compartments abutting; a door for each compartment having such a width that when in closed position its edge portions rest upon the edges of the side walls of its associated compartment, and means for preventing a door being swung closed from swinging out of alinement with respect to said side walls, said means comprising a guiding member adjacent an end of the door remote from its axis of pivoting for camming the door into its proper closed position.

10. In construction for mail boxes, in combination, a mail box having a plurality of adjacent compartments each made of sheet metal, the side walls of said compartments abutting; a door for each compartment having such a width that when in closed position its edge portions rest upon the edges of the side walls of its associated compartment, and means for preventing a door being swung closed from swinging out of alinement with respect to said side walls, said means comprising a plurality of guiding flanges extending inwardly from the inner face of the door near an end thereof remote from its axis of swinging and shaped substantially so that the innermost ends of said flanges freely pass into said compartment and the outermost edges thereof are snugly received therein.

11. In construction for mail boxes, in combination, a mail box having a plurality of adjacent compartments each made of sheet metal, the side walls of said compartments abutting; a door for each compartment having such a width that when in closed position its edge portions rest upon the edges of the side walls of its associated compartment, and means for preventing a door being swung closed from swinging out of alinement with respect to said side walls, said means comprising a substantially U-shaped sheet metal member secured to the inner face of said door, the arms of said member being shaped to guide a portion of the door remote from its axis of swinging into proper alinement with the edge portions of said side wall members.

12. In construction for mail boxes, in combination, a mail box having a compartment and a door made of brass for closing the opening therein; and means for guiding said door into said opening, said means comprising a plate made of a metal having a higher electrical resistance than that of said door and welded to the latter, said plate having an upstanding flange shaped to guide said door into said opening.

13. In construction for mail boxes, in combination, a mail box having a compartment with a lock-bolt-receiving aperture, and a door for closing the opening in said compartment; a lock having a bolt adapted to enter said aperture;

and a plate secured to the inside face of said door and adjacent the free end thereof and having said lock secured thereto, said plate having a flange shaped to guide said door into the opening in said compartment and to guide the lock relative to said aperture to bring the bolt thereof into alinement with the latter.

14. In construction for mail boxes, in combination, a plurality of compartments made of sheet metal, door means made of brass for coaction with said compartments, hinge means including a hinge pin for said door means, and a plurality of brass eye members alined with said hinge means and exposed with the front face of said door means and having said hinge pin passing therethrough, said compartments being made of sheet iron and engaged by said brass eye means which are welded to the sheet iron compartments.

15. In construction for mail boxes, in combination, a mail box having a plurality of adjacent compartments each made of sheet iron and substantially U-shaped in cross-section and alined side by side, door means including hinge means for said compartments, and a brass tab connected to said hinge means and extending between adjacent side walls of two adjacent compartments for holding said hinge means and door means in place, each of said side walls between which said tab extends being also of sheet iron and being welded to said brass tab, whereby said compartments are held together.

HENRY F. KEIL. 

